Bicycle



(No Model.)

G. C. BLOOD au P.- W. ALLAN. LIGYGLL N0.556,398 i .Patenten/rar. 17,1896.

itl-155535: l Inuemtor ma@ LM/Mm.

I UNITED STATES I PATENT OFFICE.

CLARENCE C. BLOOD AND FRANK W'. ALLA, OF KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN.

BICYCLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 556,398, dated March 17, 1896.

Application iiledSeptember 24, 1894, Serial No. 523,902. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that we, CLARENCE C. BLOOD and FRANK XV. ALLAN, citizens of the United States, residing at the city of Kalamazoo, in the county of Kalamazoo and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bicycles, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to bicycles, and more particularly to improvements in handle-bars of bicycles and their attachment to the head of the bicycle handle-bar post.

The objects of our invention are, first, to provide handle-bars that can be conveniently adjusted without varying the height of the post and still leave the handles at the ends of handle-bars in the proper position to be grasped by the rider; second, to provide such adjustable handle-bars that will not interfere with the operation of the legs of the rider in rapid or heavy work when the handle-bars are very much lowered; third, to provide handle-bars that can be conveniently adjusted and still preserve the proper proportion among the parts to present the most artistic appearance; fourth, to provide an improved clamp for clamping the handle-bars to the post of the machine. XVe accomplish these objects of our invention by the devices shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a perspective view showing the position and adjustment of our improved handle-bars looking from the rear of the machine, only a part of the handle-bar post and head of the bicycle being shown. Fig. 2 represents an enlarged detail sectional view on line 2 2 of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the head of the handle-bar post and handles, showing a modiiication. Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view on line a et of Fig. Fig. 5 is a sectional view similar to that shown in Fig. 4, showing the clamp made detachable from the handle-bar post. Fig. 6 is a detail view in perspective of the upper end of the handle-bar post as shown in Fig. 5.

All sectional views are taken look ing in the direction of the little arrows at the ends' of the section-lines.

Similar letters of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the lettered parts of the drawings, A represents the head of the bicycle in the usual form.

B is the handle-bar post.

B represents the clamp for clamping our improved handle-bars to the head of the handle-bar post.

C represents the handle-bars, which are clamped to the head of the handle-bar post and project forward and curve around to 6o either side until the handles come to the proper position for the rider to grasp.

The clamp B we prefer to make integral with the head of the handle-bar post, and it is made by expanding the head to a considerable size, boring the holes for the ends of the handle-bars to be inserted, and then sawing kerfs or slits through to the holes and inserting bolts to draw the saine together, the kerfs permitting of the clamps closing upon the in- 7o ner ends of the handle-bars. In Figs. l and 2 we show the kerfs cut to the outside, and it takes two bolts it n to clamp the same properly. In Figs. 3, 4 and 5 we show the kerfs cut through between the holes bored for the reception of the ends ofthe handle-bars, and in that case only one bolt n or n is required at the center. It will be seen from this that both constructions shown in Figs. l and 2, owing to the fact that the ends of the part 8o projecting from the opening are free to move, can be much more firmly clamped by the boltsn n at the outside.

In Fig. 5 we showa clamp B", similar to the clamp B shown in Figs. l and 2, made detachable from the top of theV handle-bar post.

It is attached by slipping the under side into the dovetail part at e.. The top of the handlebar post is enlarged at D to strengthen the same. The bolt n must then be inserted at 9o the center and pass down through the clamp into the top of the post B.

The holes in the clamp B are parallel to each other and are preferably at right angles to the head of the handle-bar post. When they are placed on the head of the bicycle, the short straight portion of the handles that passes through the clamps lies in a plane parallel with the forward wheel of the bicycle.

As we said before, the handle-bars project roo forward and curve around in graceful curves toward the rear of the machine, back to a convenient point and at a convenient angle to be grasped by the rider, the taste and comfort of the particular person riding the machine being consulted in placing the handles at the end of the handle-bars at exactly the right position. When the handle-bars are so positioned, it will be found that the best result is secured by keeping the handles always parallel to that position no matter how high or how low they may be placed. Our improved clamp enables this to be done by simply loosening the bolt n or n," or bolts 'n and turning the handle-bars O up and down to the required height, then turning the bolt or bolts n down to clamp the handle-bars in that position. The force applied will be sufcient to hold the same very securely and answer the purpose perfectly.

Ve indicate in Fig. 1 by dotted lines the position of the handle-bars when they are lowered for racing or for heavy work. The full lines indicate about the usual position preferred. They can be elevated much above that point and permit the rider to sit per-` fectly straight in the saddle.

XVe desire to say that our improved handlebars can be considerably varied in their construction and accomplish most of the important results attained by them. The handlebars O need not be curved forward in the form of a circle, but they can be bent almost square across and answer the purpose so far as the adjustment is concerned. The curvature serves the very useful purpose of providing a free motion of the knees of the rider in doing hard work, as in racing or traveling over a hilly country, and they also present a very graceful appearance. Other forms of handle-bars can be adapted to be attached by our improved clamp and make their handles adjustable in substantially parallel positions at any height.

While the clamp shown is believed to be superior to any other for the purpose, we are well aware that other forms of clamps could be used for clamping the bars in this position and answer the purpose very well.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a bicycle, the combination of the handle-bar post, B; the double adjustable clamp, B', for clamping the inner ends of the handlebars parallel to each other so that they shall lie in a plane parallel to the forward wheel of the bicycle and at substantially right angles to the handle-bar post; the handles, C, extending forward from the clamp, B', and curving laterally and then to the rear to locate the handles at a convenient point to be grasped by the rider and so they can be adjusted to any convenient height and afford room for the limbs of the rider, substantially as described for the purposespeciiied.

2. The combination of the handle-bar post, B g the double adjustable clamp, B; the bolt, n, for adjusting the said clamp to grip the handle-bars; the handle-bars, C, curving forward, laterally, and then to the rear to bring the handle in convenient position for the rider to grasp and so they can be adjusted to any convenient height and at the same time-leave room for his limbs, substantially as described for the purpose speciiied.

ln a bicycle or similar vehicle, the combination of the handle-bars, O, bent forwardly, laterally and rearwardly; the handlepost, B, connected to the inner ends of said handle-bars by adjustable joints so that the inner ends of said handle-bars shall lie in planes parallel to the forward wheel and at substantially right angles to the handle-bar post so that the handle-bars can be adjusted up and down by swinging them on their joints to the handle-bar post and so keep each handle at the end of the handle-bar in positions that are parallel to each other and afford room for the legs of the rider.

4. In a bicycle or other similar vehicle, the combination with a handle-bar post, of handle-bars attached thereto formed to extend forwardly in the same general direction as the forward wheel, then laterally, then rearwardly to each side; a clamp on the handlebar post to form an adjustable joint between said handle-bar and post, for the purpose specified.

In wit-ness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals in the presence of two witnesses.

CLARENCE C. BLOOD. FRANK XV. ALLAN.

[n s] [n sj 

